Research & Development Technician

The R&D Technician will support research and development trials and projects focused on blueberry pre-and post-harvest trials, and strawberry variety performance trials. This role involves conducting pre-harvest field trials and post-harvest fruit trials and quality assessments, ensuring robust data collection to guide commercial decisions. The technician will collaborate with the agronomy team, farms, research partners, and international teams, contributing to innovation in berry production and pre-and post-harvest management.

• Effective management of trials for blueberry pre- and post-harvest quality.
  
• Integrity and reliability of trial data (able to withstand scrutiny).
  
• Timely and accurate quality evaluations and data analysis.
  
• Clear, structured reporting with ROI analysis for commercial implementation.
  
• Active participation in industry meetings, symposiums, and conferences.
  
• Continuous research into new products, technologies, and processes for future growth.
  

• Develop and implement trial protocols.
  
• Collect, validate, and analyse trial data.
  
• Prepare and present findings to R&D and management teams.
  
• Conduct financial impact assessments of successful trials.
  
• Investigate innovative solutions and future developments.
  

• Establish and manage strawberry trial blocks with defined objectives (e.g., harvest windows).
  
• Ensure agronomic practices maintain trial integrity.
  
• Record and monitor growth, yield, pest/disease incidence, and environmental conditions.
  
• Conduct fruit quality evaluations (firmness, Brix, shelf-life, sensory attributes).
  
• Perform storage and transport simulations for postharvest performance.
  
• Document postharvest quality, fungal incidence, and losses.
  
• Maintain databases for long-term performance tracking and variety benchmarking.
  

• Postgraduate degree in Agriculture (Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Plant Science, Quality, Disease Management, or related field).
  
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in the fruit industry.
  
• Experience in berry crop trials (blueberries and/or strawberries preferred).
  
• Valid drivers license and passport
  

• Strong knowledge of horticultural practices, especially blueberries.
  
• Expertise in pre- and post-harvest physiology and fruit quality processes.
  
• Experience in R&D, handling large datasets, analyzing and interpreting results.
  
• Ability to summarize and report trials in various formats.
  
• Good understanding of budgets and financial management.
  
• Advanced computer literacy (MS Office: Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
  

• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
  
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines under pressure.
  
• Strong numerical and statistical interpretation skills.
  
• Proactive, innovative thinker with problem-solving ability.
  
• Comfortable engaging with all levels of stakeholders, from farm teams to executives.
  
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and results-driven.
  
• Flexible and willing to travel domestically and internationally.
  

• Be part of a forward-thinking company shaping the future of berry production.
  
• Work on impactful trials that deliver real commercial value.
  
• Collaborate with local and international teams, research partners, and industry experts.
  
• Opportunity to attend conferences and symposiums, staying at the forefront of agricultural innovation.